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The Meath Herald June 2012 Page 43
All-Ireland title for Athboy Boys in FAI Schools 5-a-side by Paul Holland
Congratulations to Athboy’s O’Growney NS who were crowned All-Ireland Champions of the FAI Schools 5-a-side competition at Tallaght Stadium in this the 20th Anniversary of FAI Schools Meath.The team managed by Barry McGann and John Brennan became the third Meath school to win National honours as they emulate the successes of Rathbeggan NS in 2005 and St.Michael’s Trim in 1996. The historic achievement was celebrated with the magnificent travelling support from the Meath school ,as the side captained by Sean Hughes emerged victorious on the day. Athboy began well by beating Connacht Champions Brierhill(Galway)by 4-0 and followed up with a closely fought 3-2 win over Ulster Champions Virginia (Cavan) before drawing 0-0 with St.Colmcilles Tipperary to secure the prestigious National title ATHBOY SQUAD 1.Jamie Monaghan,Callum O’Sullivan,Cillian Swaine,Sean Hughes(capt),John Farrell,Jack Kelly,Cian Quinn and Ben Renehan Dunboyne Girls impress in capturing Leinster title Dunboyne girls were convincing winners in the Section for large schools when they won all three games in impressive fashion and began by beating Scoil Mochua from Celbridge by 3-1 in their first game. Goalkeeper Niamh McDermott was outstanding throughout and was only beaten once the whole day. Margaret Leonard in midfield was top scorer for the South Meath school with four goals while the introduction of Grace Dunne proved to be decisive as she scored two crucial goals and set-up a third. The Dunboyne girls ,managed by Donal Scanlon and Michelle McDonnell,were most impressive in accounting for Dublin Champions, St.Oliver Plunkett’s of Malahide by 4-0 but had to pull out all the stops in the deciding game against St.Fiacc’s of Laois.Niamh Farrell and Abbie Reilly were magnificent in thwarting the brave challenge of St.Fiacc’s with the game decided by a well worked goal, with Anna O’Dwyer breaking to set up Margaret Leonard who netted from close range, sparking scenes of wild celebration for the Dunboyne supporters. DUNBOYNE 1.Niamh McDermott 2.Rachel McDermott 3.Aisling Flynn 4.Abbie Reilly 5.Grace Dunne 6.Niamh Farrell 7.Margaret Leonard 8.Anna O Dwyer ATHBOY BOYS WIN FIRST LEINSTER TITLE Quarryvale(Clondalkin) proved to be formidable opponents in Athboy’s first game .Despite an early 2-0 lead ,Athboy had to come from behind to snatch a 3-3 draw in the last seconds of a thrilling
All-Ireland Champions O’Growney NS, Athboy at Tallaght Stadium
Leinster Champions Athboy NS with Mark Scanlon (FAI Meath)
encounter.Keeper Killian Swaine pulled off some magnificent saves and a spectacular header from Ben Renehan in the dying seconds kept Athboy’s hopes alive.The seond game saw Athboy start slowly going 2-0 down at half-time.Athboy were much improved with Callum O’Sullivan as sub keeper and Jack Kelly pulling the strings in midfieldAthboy showed true character with winger Cian Quinn beating two players and floating a perfect pass for Seán Hughes (capt.) to head the equaliser home in true ‘Drogba’ fashion.Athboy went on to win their final match against St. Joseph’s of Kilcock with a score of 4-1 to capture their first ever Leinster title. Top scorer was Cian Quinn with 6 goals on the day with two strikes from Jack kelly and one each from Seán Hughes and Ben Renehan ATHBOY NS
Jamie Monagha, Callum O’Sullivan, Cillian Swaine, Seán Hughes, John Farrell, Jack Kelly, Cian Quinn, Ben Renehan
GAELSCOIL ÉANNA (NAVAN) RUNNERS –UP
A skillful Gaelscoil side were most unfortunate not to reach the All-Ireland finals after impressing with
convincing wins (3-0 over Dublin Champions,St.Dominic’s Tallaght) and 3-2 over North Kildare
ET.Midfielder Lauryn Ní Grioghar was for many,the player of the day,with two superb strikes in the opening game.Gemma Ní Mhuirí was in inspired form between the posts while Eibhlís Ní Choileáin and Niamh Ní Ghalchóir were dominant in defence.
The crucial decider against Castlebridge(Wexford) saw Máire Ní Ghealbháin’s girls dominate
proceedings from the start but the extra experience of the South Leinster Champions saw them edge out the Navn school by 2-1.The fact that all eight of the Wexford team play regularly with their local
soccer team (as opposed to none from the Meath team) was what separated the two teams in the end.
Laoise Ní Dhiarmada put in a superb display in midfield while subs Sionainn Ní Riain,Muireann Ní Chorcora and Siobhán Ní Dheá all played their part in coming so close to reaching the National decider
in Tallaght Stadium. GAELSCOIL ÉANNA Lauryn Nic Grioghar,Eibhlís Ní Choileáin,Laoise Nic Dhiarmada,Gemma Ní Mhuirí,Niamh Ní Ghallchóir,Sionann Ni Riain,Muireann Ni Chorcora,Siobhán Ní Dheá
Gaelscoil Eanna Navan Leinster Finals Runner-up with coach Máire Ni Ghealbháin Ireland Legend Johnny Giles takes time out to launch Robbie Horgan’s testimonial, 6.30 pm 16th June Hunky Dory’s Park Drogheda
Leinster Champions Dunboyne SNS Winners of Leinster Finals of FAI Schools Meath5-a-side.Pictured with Teachers Michelle McDonnell & Donal Scanlon
League and Cup Winners Cloghertown Utd U-15s